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250 to Davis & Furber, woolen machinery builders, to procure the same. My surprise may be imagined upon hearing his proposition to Mr. Davis, having but $2,500 to pay for $12,000 worth of machinery and to get credit for the balance. Mr. Davis questioned Mr. Rector as to the respectability of the individual members of the company. Then calling me to one side the following conversation passed: "Have you engaged to this man to go to Oregon?' I answered, "I have.' "Don't you think you are making a great mistake, as you will soon get into a good situation here at home?' I replied, "Business is very dull. We don't know how long it will last, and I have a desire to go West to see and know something of the country, and decided to take this opportunity to go to the far West." Davis said, "Then you will go?" "I will." Then said Davis, "I would not like to take the risk of furnishing the machinery on account of the distance and no one there that I know; but as you are going the machinery can go on the terms proposed, and I wish you success."

All necessary arrangements completed, I then made preparations to leave New England for Oregon, which occurred on the fifth of May, 1857, via the Isthmus, arriving in Salem June 7.

Soon after my arrival here the money to liquidate the Davis & Furber bill of machinery was loaned to the company by Mr. Daniel Waldo, about $10,000, at 2 per cent per month, interest to be paid every six months or note renewed and interest added. In November ('57) the machinery arrived in Salem and the building was completed and ready to receive it.

At this time another loan was effected from Joseph Watt of about $9,000, on same terms of that from Mr. Waldo. The freight on machinery and other expenses made this necessary. I immediately commenced to set